Category Archives: Soccer

US strikerCharlie Daviesis in serious condition after being involved in a one car accident that killed another person.

Here is a clip from the AP article from Yahoo Sports:

The tibia and femur in Davies’ right leg were broken. He also sustained facial fractures and a fracture in his left elbow in the accident, which took place at about 3:15 a.m. in the suburbs of the nation’s capital.

Davies will be hospitalized for at least a week and additional operations will be required to stabilize his broken elbow and possibly the facial fractures.

“Injuries of this nature usually require a recovery period of six to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation,” said Dr. Dan Kalbac, a U.S. team doctor who collaborated with the doctors at the hospital. “Due to Charlie’s fitness level, his prognosis for recovery and his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved.”

While most of you are probably asking; “Is an award for a fuel efficient car?” It is not.

“…the 2009 Honda Player of the Year Award that honors the best performer on the U.S. national team.” and the finalist are: LA Galaxy (MLS) midfielder – Landon Donovan, Everton (English Premier League) goalie – Tim Howard, and Hull City (EPL) striker – Jozy Altidore.

This is a great topic as US Soccer has become the “IT” team as they upset Spain and made it the finals to play Brazil in the Confederation Cup this summer, and writer Bill Simmons has become a fan of the game, which gets them even more ESPN.com front page coverage.

The three finalists have proven extremely valuable to the US National Team. Howard and Donovan have been regulars on the first team for years, but Altidore has just recently taken hold of a starting spot. But if you take these players off the team, the US would not have a chance of getting to South Africa in 2010.

Everyone knows Donovan. He has been the “next great hope” for nearly ten years , he currently is the captain of LA Galaxy, has always been good on the national team. But this summer has seen take his game to a new level. He has taken over for a when the team needed him and knows when and how to use his teammates. His creativity and pace have pushed him to new confidence and has turned in some quality goals.

Howard has firmly taken his place on top the list of talented-bald-headed-American goal keepers. Howard has kept the US team in many games. When he is on top of his game, he seems to be one step ahead, getting to lose balls with authority and commanding the defense like a general. He has been one of the best keepers in England on a team that is lacking a solid back line.

Altidore is unlike the other two. He is here because he performed well this summer, but he is younger, only 19-year-old, and does not have the body of work like Howard and Donovan. That said, Altidore is the future of American soccer and we have seen his progress against some of the best teams in the world. Even from the early part of the summer, he have seen his first touch get better, and his ability to hold of defenders with his strength is impressive. At this rate, we will see on this list of finalist for many years to come.

This is not the award for the best American player, its for the player who has performed the best for the US National Team. It is tough a decision between Howard and Donovan. You could really argue the case for either guy and it would make sense.

If the choice were up to me, I would pick…wait for it…Landon Donovan.

Without Donovan, the US would look lost. The don’t have another player as creative as Donovan and he can change the game quickly and is not afraid to involve his teammates.

Random David Beckham Thought

As I have stated before, I am almost done with Grant Wahl’s books, The Beckham Experiment. And after reading and watching some clips, I need to ask a question to all soccer fans out there.

Why has nothing been said about the fact since leaving ManU, he has always signed with clubs that have Adidas as thier kit/jersey provider?

Everyone knows that Beckham has been an Adidas guy for years, but I find this very interesting, for lack of a better word. Maybe this is more commonplace than I thought. But since he left ManU – jerseys made my Nike – he has been with Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and AC Milan – all have their jerseys provided by Adidas.

NBA Puts the Brakes on Smith and Richardson

The NBA had to suspend Denver Nugget’s J.R Smith and Golden State Warrior’s Jason Richardson for being horribly stupid drivers.

Smith will be on the bench in street clothes for seven games after pleading guilty for reckless driving and Richardson gets a two game suspension for driving drunk.

Both guys have had issues driving. Smith was in an accident that caused the death of a passenger in his car in 2007 and Richardson drove 90 mph in a 35 mph zone with his three year old son in the back seat WITHOUT a car seat.

Richardson is the bigger idiot, but Smith seems to find his name in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Either way, suspensions were warranted.

Arsenal Vs. Manchester United

For those of you who did not know, the English Premiere League started up again. And this Saturdays match-up at Old Trafford, is the first real test of the season for Arsenal and the first match-up of any of the “Big Four” – ManU, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

United has already had a bump in the road in the form of recently promoted Burnley, but a match-up against another major squad, may set the Red Devils back on course.

This is also the match of the EPL two longest-term tenured coaches in Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, who has been there since 1996, and United Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been the head of this giant since 1986.

My Prediction – Arsenal 2 – United 1* United is having issues with the back four and Wayne Rooney has yet to convince me that he is the team leader, but Arsenal needs Cesc Fabregas to be fit.

Dick Vitales Top-40 Teams

I like this list – Short, sweet, and to the point. Here is a quick hint: Kansas is No. 1 and Kentucky is No.2.

Should be a interesting year.

LeBron by LeBron

World Football Daily

After much thought and public feedback, Steven Cohen has decided to move in a new direction. Changing the branding from World SOCCER Daily to World FOOTBALL Daily, the new show will be viewed and heard by paying a monthly subscription.

On a short show today Steven, with co-host Kenny Hassan, explained the changes that are taking place. Highlighting the new shift in programing, the creation of a new company, the revamped focus of the show, and how the show intends to “stay afloat”.

The brief broadcast showcased the greater investment in the show that has been made by the hosts, with a few other, to validate the $9.99 monthly subscription. The greater investment was obviously seen in the higher quality cameras, closer and improved camera angles, and improved sound equipment. Side note: the sound still needs to be worked out however.

Cohen had decided to stop production of World Soccer Daily after threats of all kinds, from a certain group of Liverpool Supporters, had become too intense and were not only directed at Cohen, but also his step-children and their friends. The backlash was from the Liverpool supporters, was based on comments Cohen had made about the tragedy that took place in 1996 known as the Hillsborough Disaster, which involved the death of 96 Liverpool fans.

As I have stated in prior posts, I do not have enough knowledge to have an opinion on the events that took place in 1996 or Cohen’s comments. Either way, the show will have it’s last free broadcast on Monday, August 31st.

DTP Gets a New Face – Just call me Joan Rivers

I needed something new and I like the look of this layout. Nothing too flashy and yet lighter than the older face.

The old layout was good to us but it was time for step in a new direction. So, here it is.

NBA Notes

No one in the NBA wants Allen Iverson – Can you blame them? While this guy is a crazy athlete – he is the NBA’s version of Terrell Owens – A.I. can not fit into a system that does not have him dominating the ball.

Jason Williams- last seen playing the Miami Heat in ’07-’08 – has signed with the Orlando Magic. He should add some veteran leadership – but that’s about it.

Fox Sports put tother a list of the Top 10 NBA Coach’s of All-Time: take a look.

Brett Favre Plays All of Heaven Rejoices

He went 1-for-4 for 4 yards! Woohoo! Plan the parade!

I do not put much stock in preseason and this is a perfect example of the exact reasoning behind that thought. I did not pay much attention to the game, but I did see Taravis Jackson go 12-for-15 for 202 yards and two touchdowns. You can call his an audition for another team.

POP Culture Moments

Millon Dollar Idiot

My wife and I have an agreement. Granted, it is one that will likely never be needed, but we have discussed that if one of us were to be so lucky to get on a game some, i.e. Millionaire or Deal or No Deal, and we had the chance to walk away with a “lot of money”, we would.

The reason I bring this up. On Sunday, ABC had Regis Philban back to host a prim-time 10th Anniversary Show (he had been hosting all week). After guy with awesome money vest, answered wrong, here came this 24-year-old – Harvard Law graduating – entertainment lawyer.

He breezes through a ton of questions and is looking at the three final questions with four life lines left. Nice! He had already made a blind guess at what seemed to be an easy question and was sitting at the Million Dollar Question! It felt like this guys whole round was easy and ABC just wanted a winner on their 10th Anniversary Show. Anyway, he guessed at the question and was wrong. Lame – his ego took over for his logic and he lost $475K.

The agreement with my wife – would have allowed me to see the million dollar question, use my life lines, and then walked away with $500K. Paying off all out debate, setting our kids up, buying a house and looking at a nice sized pot to grow interest and that want wait until retirement.

But 24-year-old entertainment lawyer is thinking he needs to guess on a question that he said “either you know it or you don’t”. There is no process of elimination or logic behind it, but he dove head first and lost. National TV FAIL!

Dancing With Who?

Did anyone know that Congressmen Tom DeLay, Kelli Osbourne, Aaron Carter and UFC Fighter Chuck Liddell are on Dancing with the Stars? There are probably more, but that’s as far as I could get before I became lighted headed thinking of all the horrible that will take place!

I am only entering my third season of English Premier League Soccer and try to get my soccer fix when and where I can. I found this podcast only a few months ago and it daily opens the world of soccer to a nation fans that have a hard time finding soccer news in the main stream.

I do not know enough to have an opinon on Steven Cohen’s claims and the events that happened in the Hillsborough Disaster. Even many of the veiwers disagree with Cohen’s claims and do not agree with the actions of the Liverpool supporters. Please listen to the last podcast to come to your own conclusion.

So I have taken a couple days off, mostly because I was not moved to write. But with the shocking news of Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo splitting-up, I felt compelled to voice my concerns.

Jessica and Tony

So, you’re saying there is a chance? No, there is not.

Timberwolves Coaching Search

The rumors out there is that the TWolves are looking at Mark Jackson, Kurt Rambis and Rockets assistant Elston Turner. I would be OK with Rambis or Turner, but not Jackson. HE HAS NO HEAD COACHING EXPERINCE!!

Maybe Jackson will have the respect of the players, but still, I am not ready to throw the team Mark Jackson.

I am putting it out there – Rookie of the Year comes down to Griffin, Flynn, Steph Curry at Golden State, James Harden at Oklahoma City and Tyreke Evans at Sacramento. Girffin may not get as much PT with other bigs in his way.

Soccer T-Shirt

I am eagerly awaiting this original Landon Donovan inspired soccer t-shirt I bought at www.objectivo.com.

My mom used to say, “What you do comes back to you.” She would’ve loved the final of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United — the team with the giant AIG across its jerseys — got beat by FC Barcelona, the team with the UNICEF logo across its, 2-0. How cool is that? Barcelona does it all backwards. It blew off a jersey sponsorship deal worth tens of millions, like the best UEFA teams sign, and instead decided to donate $2 million a year to UNICEF for the privilege of wearing its name. And Barcelona will do it for two more seasons. Manchester, meanwhile, is wearing the logo of one of the world’s greediest — and most ruinous — corporations in history. Karma. Who says you can’t love soccer?